SAN DIEGO - The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is investigating the Feb. 3, 2024, death of an incarcerated Merced man at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) as a homicide. At approximately 2:20 p.m., officers responded to an altercation between incarcerated persons Michael Mendoza and Maurice Vasquez against incarcerated person Guy Perez.

Responding staff arrived and observed Mendoza and Vasquez striking Perez in the upper torso with inmate-manufactured weapons. Staff orders to stop were ignored. Chemical agents were then used to quell the attack. 

 Medical staff were immediately called for assistance and determined Perez had multiple puncture wounds. Life-saving measures were taken, and Perez was transported to RJD’s Treatment Triage Area. RJD’s on-duty physician pronounced Perez deceased at approximately 3 p.m.

Mendoza and Vasquez have been placed in restricted housing, and population movement has been limited. RJD’s Investigative Services Unit and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office continue an investigation. The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the San Diego County Coroner will determine Perez’s official cause of death.

No staff members or additional incarcerated people were injured as a result of this incident.

Perez, 53, was received from Merced County on Jan. 14, 1997. He was sentenced to 25 years to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Mendoza, 38, was received from Sacramento County on March 5, 2005. He was sentenced to 48 years for two counts of attempted murder.

Vasquez, 49, was received from multiple counties, including Sacramento, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles, on Oct. 5, 2004. He was sentenced to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and battery on a peace officer.